In a true celebration of all things windsurfing, the RS:X Windsurfing South American Championships kicked off today as racing in the Techno and RS:X Classes begin under perfect conditions in the town of Paracas, Peru. The RS:X Windsurfing Championships forms the second half of the event with the Techno 293Plus concluding their racing today in a slalom format, which will be used for the first time in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires later this year.

Seven different nations are represented across the fleets. The RS:X has been supported in its growth by the Techno Class and this event provides an inspirational environment for the junior sailors competing, as they launch and race alongside their senior heroes.

At the same time, the event provides an opportunity for each countries rising stars to stake their claim for a spot at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in just over two years’ time as well as qualifying for the Pan American Games, which will take place in Lima 2019.

Today we had a late start after registration concluded with 49 entries. Two races were sailed back-to-back in all fleets as the time did not allow any further racing on the first day. In the Junior fleet it is the local Alexander Grahammer and Valentina Ovalle in the lead. Raul Claux from Peru is leading in the Techno293 Youth division. This will be a real test for Raul as he's already sailed 15 races in the YOG qualifier last week. ARG 400 Alexia Garcia Guevara is leading the youth girls.

Over at the RS:X Mack Van Den Eerenbeemt from Aruba is leading in the Men's, Maria Belen Bazo German in the Women's and Marcos Quioga in the RS:X Youth fleets.

Tomorrow we start at 11:00 with Techno293 and continue one hour later with the RS:X. Racing will conclude on Sunday 4th March with up to 15 races scheduled. It will be an intense competition on a number of different levels as each sailor looks to show off their skills and the fantastic racing that is abundant in the RS:X and Techno293.